To this day whenever I get a ticket at Walt Disney World Resort, I immediately look to see who’s on it. I’m not going to lie, I’m always hoping for Mickey Mouse (He’s been my favorite since I can remember). If you’re anything like me, you save your tickets from all sorts of events. I still have my ticket from my very first visit to Walt Disney World Resort.

Gallery

I was unsure why my Mom wrote my hometown and name on my ticket, so I called and asked her. Her response, “You expect me to remember what I did in 1988?” I’m guessing it was just in case I lost it (I can’t imagine she let a 10-year-old be responsible for his own ticket). Here’s a look at some tickets throughout the years from Walt Disney World Resort. (This is not a comprehensive look.)

Christopher from NY on March 7th, 2013 at 8:58 am

What a coincidence, I’m going to the Magic Kingdom later this month and I recently found my ticket from my first visit in 1980.
I’m going to bring it and wear it on my belt loop.

2

Brian on March 7th, 2013 at 9:10 am

Hey you were there on my birthday!

Nate Rasmussen on March 7th, 2013 at 9:36 am

Cool. Happy Birthday in advance.

3

Christopher on March 7th, 2013 at 9:30 am

My first ticket… was actually pictured… The pink, 4-day paper ticket with Mickey & park icons on the front. WOW! That brought back a flood of memories from late 80s-early 90s.

4

Carrie on March 7th, 2013 at 9:42 am

Last weekend, we met a woman on our Disney bus headed to Epcot – she showed us her park ticket that was twenty years old and had no expiration date. She was hoping to use it at the gates, I’ve thought about her all week wondering if she was able to use it. Would it still be considered a valid ticket?

5

Jacqueline on March 7th, 2013 at 9:43 am

Dear Mr. Rasmussen,

How very interesting your job must be in the Archives department! I really enjoy all things historical about Disney and loved your post today.

Items such as these should be featured in the Smithsonian’s Museum of Natural History.

Best regards,
Jacqueline

6

Sean from GA on March 7th, 2013 at 9:57 am

Ohhh I have a few of these laying around. Loved the style changes over the years and the Birthday/Anniversary celebrations.
I didn’t know you were from Valpo I’m from the South Bend/Mish area. It’s a small world after all.

Nate Rasmussen on March 7th, 2013 at 10:20 am

Yep, born and raised in Indiana. (Not much of a secret if you see me around work, my hometown is on my name tag, too.)

7

Sarah on March 7th, 2013 at 10:00 am

I love vintage tickets. My step-father grew up in Anaheim and has given me a bunch of his old Disneyland tickets he never used. The are framed and in my office. Love, love love.

8

Larry on March 7th, 2013 at 10:26 am

Hey Nate, My Southern Illinois family went to Disneyland for the first time in 1975. The Bi-Centennial Celebration had just gotten underway and I was a nerdy 15 year old that loved Mickey Mouse and all things Disney. Got the map, ears, and an extra book of tickets. I just recently had the map and book of tickets (kept pristine all these years) framed and matted and displayed prominently in my now adult house of mouse. People, especially other Disney fans are awed when they see it.

9

Paul on March 7th, 2013 at 10:40 am

I have so many of these…it scares me. The fact that yours is a Magic Kingdom Club ticket made me chuckle as most of mine are as well. We used to go down every year for the MKC Convention w/the annual updates. I still have all the Annual Planners that were mailed to my dad every year. I also have all my Annual Passes going back to the 80’s…when they were a photo ID and you SIGNED IN at the gate (far right end of EPCOT). I remember thinking it was the coolest thing in the world to have your picture taken in the offices at the TTC!

Nate Rasmussen on March 7th, 2013 at 1:17 pm

@Sarah, @Larry, @Paul – So glad I’m not the only one holding on to tickets!

10

Bobbi on March 7th, 2013 at 12:43 pm

As a guest that has only ever had a “Key to the World” card, I had never considered that I may be missing out on a “collectable!”

11

Devin on March 7th, 2013 at 1:17 pm

I think the military tickets are just adorable!!! My husband and I got them for our honeymoon in September. I have every single ticket from all 20 trips, including special event tickets

12

Gaylin on March 7th, 2013 at 2:00 pm

I have tickets and parking ticket and park maps etc from 1978, 1979! I love them.

13

Christopher on March 7th, 2013 at 5:38 pm

I have a (used) Commemorative Opening Day EPCOT Center ticket, a replica 1959 Disneyland Ticket Book, and a 1974 9 Adventure Magic Kingdom Ticket Book! The Transportation/Main Gate tickets detached back in ’74 and every ticket is punched VOID. But I don’t care, if I can get a full, nice and complete WDW Ticket Book for only $15.00, I’ll take the VOID punch!

I LOVE old tickets and anything vintage Walt Disney World/Disneyland!!!!!!!!

14

Leslie on March 7th, 2013 at 6:51 pm

If you get to Disneyland, be sure to stop by the Opera House on Main Street. There is an awesome display of old Disneyland tickets and ticket books on display in the lobby. It is fascinating to see how they have changed over the years.

15

Chad on March 7th, 2013 at 11:20 pm

I had the 5-Day WorldPassport. The first date stamped on it was Feb, 1988 and I finally finished it with a final stamp in Feb, 2009. On the ticket, its states it is good for admission to EPCOT Center and the Magic Kingdom, but not MGM Studios (which wasn’t open yet when I got it). How much was the 5-Day “park hopper” ticket? $150.

16

Allison from GA on March 7th, 2013 at 11:23 pm

I LOVE my vintage tickets and souvenEARs! I have lots of them including coupon books still in tact, a parking receipt from 1977 for 50 cents and one of the Guide Maps of the Magic Kingdom from 1971. Ahhhh – good times!

17

Darren on March 8th, 2013 at 8:53 am

Glad to see I’m not the only one who saved my tickets. My collection sits framed above my desk. I love the Epcot ticket book featured in this post, it’s not one I have in my collection. Going to ebay right now!

Darren

18

Jill on March 8th, 2013 at 9:06 am

I so wish I still had my Gold Key Cards from back in the day…Those were the coolest things EVER!!! Seeing that you were in the Magic Kingdom Club…Did you ever have one?

Nate Rasmussen on March 12th, 2013 at 9:13 am

Hi, Jill. No I did not.

19

Susan from MA on March 8th, 2013 at 5:21 pm

we have a ticket from the WDW parking lot for 50 cents from august 22 1973 along with some tickets from 73 and 76. have other various tickets from over the yrs as well all are used with the exception for the ones from the 70’s.

also have park guide from either 76 or 79 which i got Characters signatures on

20

Skip from FL on March 8th, 2013 at 11:58 pm

Nate, could you display the A to E tickets in the old attraction books?

Nate Rasmussen on March 12th, 2013 at 9:14 am

Skip, I need to see if I can find them first. I’ll take a look around and do another post in the future if I find anything.

21

Jeffrey on March 9th, 2013 at 8:03 am

Nate: I’ve seen your name pop up before as author of various Disney history posts… and I’ve briefly thought to myself, “hmmm… I know some Rasmussen’s, that’s not a common name.” Today you confirmed it – as I, too, am originally from Valpo. Good to see a hometown boy working fort The Mouse.

Nate Rasmussen on March 12th, 2013 at 9:15 am

Yep, born and raised in Valpo. It’s a small world after all…

22

Cara on March 11th, 2013 at 8:50 pm

Somewhere in all my stuff I still have my ticket from September 1989 with Donald Duck on it. It was an employee cast member ticket and the last one I ever had from working at Disneyland (before it was deemed Disneyland Resort!) and I have cherished it ever since. Its survived 13 moves intact. Somewhere we have the original ticket books from 1978 and my very first trip to Disneyland. They still have their E-tickets in them since I was too scared to ride any coasters after the refurbished Matterhorn.

23

MaryEllen on March 13th, 2013 at 6:14 pm

My husband just found some unused D and E tickets we got when we came to Disney World on our honeymoon in 1977! Some of the rides listed on the tickets don’t even exist anymore.

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